somone doesn't follow a religion

[Over the top]

Hi
I know anyone who doesn't believe in the existence of God called atheist, but what about someone who believes in God but doesn't follow/practise a certian religion or doctrine. Is there a term?
I think of believer but maybe this is a general term.
Thanks

 

[susiedqq]

non practicing.

Tiger Woods is a non practicing Buddhist.

 

[Over the top]

Is it a full sentence to say I'm non practicing? Won't the listener ask non practicing what?

 

[OPENED EYES]

I think he is called monotheist , but I am not sure

 

[euncu]

As far as I remember;

A deist believes in a creator (of the universe) but does not believe in religions.
A theist believes in a creator and is a member of a religion.

I hope I remembered it correctly.

 

[susiedqq]

You can say:
I don't practice any one religion.
I don't follow any one religion.
I am non-religious.

 

[Abstract Idea]

Hi
I know anyone who doesn't believe in the existence of God called atheist, but what about someone who believes in God but doesn't follow/practise a certian religion or doctrine. Is there a term?
I think of believer but maybe this is a general term.
Thanks

I think that even if there is a term expressing exactly your idea, in this situation, for the sake of clearness, it is important that you state it fully.

"I believe in God but I don't follow any specific doctrine or religious system."

By the same token that it is not so easy for you to find the "correct" word here, it may be not easy for your interlocutor to understand it.

 

[Raymott]

I think that "theist" is the closest.
The main problem with saying you believe in 'God', while not having a belief system behind it, is that it is meaningless. What do you mean by 'God'?
Here are some possible meanings:
- the creator of the universe
- the sustainer of an afterlife
- a supernatural being who cares about you
- a being who suspends the laws of physics if you ask it to
- a source of morality
- the author of a holy book
- anything supernatural
- many more things
These things are not necessarily connected. Saying that you believe in an undefined God says nothing except that you are not an atheist (by definition).

 

[bhaisahab]

Just for information, in BrE it's "practising". The verb is "to practise", "practice" is a noun "a doctors practice", for example.

 

[konungursvia]

A theist believes a god created the world, etc., but doesn't think the creator is watching.
A deist believes God created the world, and knows even the number of hairs on our heads, and keeps track of all the nice things we do.

You could call your friend not very religious, not spiritual, or non-practising.

 

[Raymott]

A theist believes a god created the world, etc., but doesn't think the creator is watching.
A deist believes God created the world, and knows even the number of hairs on our heads, and keeps track of all the nice things we do.

You could call your friend not very religious, not spiritual, or non-practising.

I think you have that the wrong way round, kon.
Deism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Theism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[konungursvia]

Oh, right Ray, thanks for that!

 

[Over the top]

Thanks everyone. Your posts are very informative. While I was searching for a word, I came across agnostic theism. Does it describe what I want?